World-class sculpture trail unveiled to the public

A selection of sculptures from a host of distinguished artists including Damien Hirst, Martin Creed, Gary Hume and Eduardo Paolozzi, are to be unveiled this spring on The Line, a new walk linking the O2 and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The key aim of The Line is to bring high-quality artworks out of warehouses and into the public realm so they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

The artworks will be placed around the O2, the Royal Docks and along the River Lea and canals. Visitors will be able to join The Line at any point along the route to explore the three miles of waterways. The Royal Docks and the O2 are linked by the Emirates Air Line, which offers extraordinary views of the city.

The Line will officially launch with an event at Cody Dock on May 23rd from 3pm-7pm that will feature guided walks, talks and live music, exhibitions, films, a garden party and drinks and food stalls.

The Line is being led by urban regeneration expert Clive Dutton OBE and contemporary art dealer Megan Piper, with support from award-winning architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Renowned sculpture expert Carolyn Miner has recently joined the team as curator of the project.

Cultural capital

Megan Piper, Founder and Director of The Line, said: “One of the greatest things about London is its ability to surprise. The Line will bring together great works of art and a largely undiscovered area of the city. The installed works will create a unique walk that will offer a new perspective on these waterways.”

The works selected for The Line's inaugural year were part of an open submission. Artists, galleries and collections were invited to propose works for consideration by an independent panel.

The launch of The Line will include the following sculptures:

Work No.700 by Martin Creed

DNA DL90 by Abigail Fallis

Sensation by Damien Hirst

Liberty Grip by Gary Hume

Vulcan by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi

Network by Thomas J Price

Consolidator #654321 by Sterling Ruby

Here by Thomson & Craighead

Untitled (The Thing) by Piotr Uklanski

Participating galleries include Hauser & Wirth, Gagosian, White Cube, Carroll / Fletcher and Pangolin London. All works will be on loan to the project for two years and The Line’s ambition is to create a permanent outdoor exhibition space, with additional works continually introduced. The Line curator is working on plans for temporary projects and exhibitions – with further details to follow.

Permanent outdoor exhibition space

Tim Eastop, who produces the Canal & River Trust’s Arts on the Waterways programme, said: “It’s so exciting to see these fantastic works come to London’s waterways. The canals and rivers are like arteries traversing the city, home to thriving communities and wildlife, yet still a secret, undiscovered part of the capital for so many. The Line will be a great addition to this part of London, ready and waiting to be explored, where people will be impressed with the quality of the sculptures and inspired by the diversity of experience offered by the water.”